Rep. Davis files bill in North Carolina House to revise hazing laws

A new bill filed by State Rep. Ted Davis, Jr. seeks to update hazing laws and mandate policies for educational entities to prevent and address hazing incidents, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 632 on March 31 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Amend Hazing Laws.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill proposes revisions to the criminal offense of hazing and mandates educational entities to establish policies to prevent hazing. The bill repeals and replaces G.S. 14-35, introducing detailed definitions of hazing and outlining personal and organizational offenses. It criminalizes acts of hazing that cause harm and requires individuals to seek assistance for injured parties, with penalties including fines and varying degrees of misdemeanor or felony charges. Educational institutions are required to investigate hazing allegations, develop preventative educational programs, and report hazing violations online. The bill grants immunity from prosecution for good faith reports of hazing and is effective Dec. 1, 2025. Educational entities must comply with these requirements beginning the 2025-26 school and academic year.

A related bill, SB 375, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Amy S. Galey (and two others) on March 20, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donna McDowell White proposed the most bills (30) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Davis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA and again from Wake Forest University Law School with a JD.

Davis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 20th House district, replacing previous state representative Holly Grange.